NFL's July 15 Tag Deadline Passes Quietly as George Pickens Stays on $27.3 Million Tender
Updated
Updated · NFL.com · Jul 16
NFL's July 15 Tag Deadline Passes Quietly as George Pickens Stays on $27.3 Million Tender
3 articles · Updated · NFL.com · Jul 16
Summary
George Pickens emerged as the only tagged player without a new multiyear deal when the NFL's 4 p.m. ET deadline passed, leaving the Cowboys wideout on his signed one-year $27.3 million tender.
Dallas had already said before the draft it would not extend Pickens in 2026, and Pickens has shown no resistance after taking part in mandatory minicamp.
Three other tagged players avoided the deadline drama by signing extensions: Daniel Jones for two years and $88 million, Breece Hall for three years and $43.5 million, and Kyle Pitts for three years and $54 million.
Teams can still sweeten a one-year tender after July 15, but not add years, making 2026's deadline unusually uneventful compared with past franchise-tag standoffs.